What are the requirements for worker health and safety in the R2 Standard?

Q: What are the key requirements for worker health and safety in the R2 Standard?

A: The R2 Standard places a strong emphasis on worker health and safety, particularly in the context of materials recovery operations. The key requirements for worker health and safety include:

1. Conducting regular hazards identification and assessment of the facility’s operations to identify potential risks to worker health and safety, including exposure to hazardous substances, noise, ergonomic factors, and other potential hazards.
2. Implementing controls to mitigate identified risks, such as engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
3. Providing appropriate training to workers on the facility’s health and safety procedures, including proper use of PPE and emergency response procedures.
4. Conducting regular monitoring of worker exposures to hazardous substances, such as lead and mercury, through an industrial hygiene monitoring program.

Q: What are the requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the R2 Standard?

A: The R2 Standard requires that workers be provided with appropriate PPE to protect against identified hazards. The specific requirements for PPE include:

1. Conducting a hazard assessment to determine the appropriate types of PPE needed for each task or operation.
2. Providing workers with PPE that is appropriate for the identified hazards and meets all applicable safety standards.
3. Training workers on the proper use, maintenance, and limitations of their assigned PPE.
4. Ensuring that PPE is properly maintained, cleaned, and replaced as necessary to ensure its continued effectiveness.

Q: What are the requirements for industrial hygiene monitoring in the R2 Standard?

A: The R2 Standard requires that R2 certified facilities conduct regular industrial hygiene monitoring to assess worker exposures to hazardous substances. The specific requirements for industrial hygiene monitoring include:

1. Conducting an initial assessment to identify potential exposures to hazardous substances, such as lead, mercury, and other chemicals used in the recycling process.
2. Developing an industrial hygiene monitoring program that includes regular air, noise, and wipe sampling to assess worker exposures.
3. Using qualified professionals, such as certified industrial hygienists, to conduct the monitoring and interpret the results.
4. Maintaining records of all industrial hygiene monitoring results and using the results to identify areas for improvement in the facility’s health and safety program.

By implementing these worker health and safety requirements, R2 certified facilities can ensure that their workers are protected from potential hazards associated with electronics recycling and that the facility is in compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.